Enhancing Digital Identity: Evaluating Avatar Creation Tools and Privacy Challenges for the Metaverse

Abstract

This study explores the process of creating avatars for Virtual Reality and metaverse environments using a variety of specialized applications, including VRChat, Ready Player Me, VRoidStudio, Mixamo, Convai, and MetaHuman. By evaluating these platforms, the research identifies the strengths and limitations of each tool in terms of customization, integration, and overall user experience. The practical implementation focuses on avatar creation within Unity and Unreal Engine, highlighting the technical aspects of rigging, animation, and real-time rendering. The study also delves into the broader implications of avatar use, particularly concerning privacy and security. Our findings reveal that while each platform offers unique advantages, the choice of tool significantly impacts the visual fidelity and performance of avatars in virtual environments. For the ease of use, Ready Player Me stands out with its intuitive interface. VRoidStudio is notable for its high degree of customizability, allowing for detailed avatar personalization. In terms of high-quality graphics, MetaHuman leads the way with its advanced graphical fidelity. At the same time, while some platforms excel in personalizing avatars or integrating with development environments (VRoidStudio, Ready Player Me), others are constrained by their limited flexibility or their platform-specific availability (MetaHuman, Mixamo). Understanding the technical intricacies of these tools is crucial for developing more immersive and secure metaverse experiences.